Dr. Foster offered his resignation in a meeting between him, legal counsel and the district following public controversy over his failure have the license to work as a superintendent in Minnesota. He had been put on paid-administrative leave pending an investigation into the licensing issue December 19.

Dr. Foster, who has been with the district since last July, claims there was a misunderstanding in the procedure to get the required provisional Minnesota license he was lacking, which is required for his job.

The Duluth School Board voted 5-2 in favor of the " terms of separation agreement". Mary Cameron and Art Johnston voted against it.

The terms make the resignation effective immediately. Foster would be paid salary through March and benefits through June. The Terms of Separation Agreement will become final after signed by the school board chair and clerk.

Bill Gronseth will continue his role as interim superintendent. The School Board says it has no immediate plans to conduct a search for a new superintendent.

"The Board appreciates Dr. Foster’s good faith decision, wishes him well, and thanks him for his service," a statement from the school district said Friday night.

Although Dr. Foster had applied for the license December 19, paperwork, showing experience and qualifications, was still missing from Illinois, where he last worked as a superintendent.

Those documents were needed by Friday in order for the Minnesota Board of School Administrators to be able to vote whether to grant him the license Monday, January 9 at its regular monthly meeting.